Poor Laika!
In browsing through a book on the history of the space race yesterday, I came across a sad fact the Soviet Union not only concealed but elaborately lied about from 1958 right up until its collapse.
Post-Soviet access to official records tell us that Laika- the dog allegedly carried into orbit in the world's second Earth satellite, Sputnik II- never made it. The poor animal died during the boost phrase when heat sheilds malfunctioned.
I'd always been comforted by the Soviet version, according to which Laika calmed down after reaching orbit, enjoyed several treats while circling the globe, and then was painlessly euthanized. As a space-obsessed eight year old, this was easier to accept than the notion that the poor thing was allowed to die of asphixiation or starvation or thirst while endlessly orbiting the globe. Sadly, it seems that in fact while her death was somewhat quicker, it was at least as horrific as the one I took comfort in her having been spared.
Post-Soviet access to official records tell us that Laika- the dog allegedly carried into orbit in the world's second Earth satellite, Sputnik II- never made it. The poor animal died during the boost phrase when heat sheilds malfunctioned.
I'd always been comforted by the Soviet version, according to which Laika calmed down after reaching orbit, enjoyed several treats while circling the globe, and then was painlessly euthanized. As a space-obsessed eight year old, this was easier to accept than the notion that the poor thing was allowed to die of asphixiation or starvation or thirst while endlessly orbiting the globe. Sadly, it seems that in fact while her death was somewhat quicker, it was at least as horrific as the one I took comfort in her having been spared.
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(Sorry--poor taste, but I couldn't resist.)
Who knew? In addition to everything else, the commies were puppy-killers.